Antenna apparatus and method for making same

Claim 1

A combination dual antenna and air current deflector shield for mounting as an accessory on an outside surface and transverse to a body of a motor vehicle comprising: (a) a planar member having a first layer of a hard gel coat and second, third and fourth layers of polyester resin and fiberglass, said planar member being configured in the shape of an air current deflector shield; (b) a generally planar first conductor member having an elongate primary member and a plurality of secondary members connected to and generally perpendicular to said primary member, said first conductor member being encapsulated between said second and said third layers; (c) a generally planar second conductor member having an elongate primary member and a plurality of secondary members connected to and generally perpendicular to said primary member, said second conductor member being encapsulated between said third and said fourth layers; (d) a first coupler mounted to said planar member having a first terminal suitable for providing electrical connection to an electrical reference potential of a motor vehicle and a second terminal operatively connected to the first antenna conductor member suitable for connection to an input/output terminal of a receiver/transmitter; and (e) a second coupler mounted to said planar member having a first terminal suitable for providing electrical connection to an electrical reference potential of a motor vehicle and a second terminal operatively connected to the first antenna conductor member suitable for connection to an input/output terminal of a receiver/transmitter, whereby when said planar member is mounted to the outside surface of a motor vehicle, said planar member is an air current deflector shield.

Claim 12

A method of constructing a planar antenna comprising the steps of: (a) applying a coating of material in a mold configuration in a generally planar shape to form a hard protective first layer; (b) placing an electrically insulating second layer in overlying engagement with said first layer; (c) placing a first conductor member on and slightly embedded within said second layer; (d) forming an electrically insulating third layer in overlying engagement with said first conductor member, whereby said first conductor member is encapsulated between said first layer and said second layer; (e) placing a second conductor member on and slightly embedded within said third layer; (f) forming an electrically insulating fourth layer in overlying engagement with said second conductor member, whereby said second conductor member is encapsulated between said third layer and said fourth layer; (g) making electrical contact to one end of the said first conductor member through said third layer; (h) making electrical contact with one end of said second conductor member through said fourth layer; (i) allowing the entire assembly to cure; and (j) removing the assembly from the mold.

Claim 13

A method of constructing a planar antenna comprising the steps of: (a) applying a coating of material in a mold configuration in a generally planar shape to form a hard protective first layer; (b) placing an electrically insulating second layer in overlying engagement with said first layer; (c) placing a first conductor member on and slightly embedded within said second layer; (d) forming an electrically insulating third layer in overlying engagement with said first conductor member, whereby said first conductor member is encapsulated between said first layer and said second layer; (e) placing a second conductor member on and slightly embedded within said third layer; (f) forming an electrically insulating fourth layer in overlying engagement with said second conductor member, whereby said second conductor member is encapsulated between said third layer and said fourth layer; (g) making electrical contact to one end of the said first conductor member through said third layer; (h) making electrical contact with one end of said second conductor member through said fourth layer; (i) allowing the entire assembly to cure; and (j) removing the assembly from the mold.